Interviews

Your appearance during the interview is critical . The first
impression in the first three seconds remains with the
interviewer throughout the interview!

Make certain your image is sharp! Dress and look the part
you want. Well-made classic clothing of neutral or dark hues
will give the impression you have authority.

For men : a non-synthetic or light wool suit, or a blazer and
slacks if the environment you want to work in is more
casual. Be certain your shirt is crisply ironed and white or
light earth-tone color. Be careful in selection of a tie.
Buy a coordinating tie to your suit in a width similar to
the width of the lapels of the jacket. Make certain your
socks compliment your suit and wear length. Always wear
polished shoes.

For women : suits are preferable for a woman or a plain sweater,
blouse and skirt. Make certain your clothes are tailored and
not frilly with ruffles and patterns or gathers. Wear a
conservative gray, black or navy suit with a very tailored
silk or cotton blouse of light blue, light gray or white. To
soften your outfit or add color wear a silk scarf to
compliment your outfit . Select pumps or shoes which are
conservatively stylish with closed-toes and a low heel. Wear
a neutral color of hosiery. Be careful with jewelry. A
simple necklace or bracelet, or a lapel pin is fine. Wear
small earrings that don't dangle and only wedding or
engagement rings.

Arriving at the Reception Room:

Be certain to arrive at least fifteen minutes early so
you can use the rest room and collect your thoughts. It will
also allow you to observe the activities of the area and
maybe even prospective co-workers. Tell the receptionist
you've arrived and be friendly. A receptionist can be an
ally. Look around for company information, annual reports,
trade magazines, brochures, anything you can find. If you
can't find these , ask the receptionist. Find a comfortable
seat and try and visualize yourself relaxing to remove the
tenseness from your muscles. When you are greeted by the
interviewer, stand tall, look them in the eyes, smile and
give a firm handshake! Tell them it's nice to meet them and
you are ready to begin.

Interviewing Body Language and Listening:

Be careful of nervous body language such as swinging your
legs, biting your lips, lengthy avoidance of eye contact,
wringing your hands or covering your mouth. Instead, speak
with honest open hands, tilt your head to show interest, or
lean forward. Listen intently and know when to lead or fill
pauses with words. Keep the interviewer's needs in mind and
pay attention to strong feelings, signs of boredom,
frustration, confusion or loss of interest. Just remember
that the interview is simply a conversation where there is a
productive give and take of information.

How to Handle Those Difficult Interviewing Questions:

Below are a few examples of complex questions and some
accompanying suggestions for handling them:

1.)

Why were you fired?

Be honest and admit your errors, that
you've learned from your mistakes. Even if you
think you weren't at fault, don't blame your
employer.

2.)

Why were you laid off?

You might explain the
reason for the lay-off with the company.

3.)

Describe a time when your
work was criticized?

The interviewer probably
wants to know about your tolerance for criticism
and your ability to handle stress. Describe a
situation which was minor and how you "saw the
light" as time went on.

4.)

There appears to be a gap in
your work history. Can you tell me what that is
about?

Explain that you had
family circumstances, concentrated on your
education or health reasons. Keep your responses
brief and focused.

5.)

What is the extent of your
job search so far?

You might have been
looking for a while and explain that you are
looking for just the right fit.

These are just a sampling of difficult questions you may
be asked. If you are asked an illegal question about age,
gender orientation, family status, etc, decide if you want
to answer. Consider why they might be asking the question.
If you think the question is improper and you don't wish to
answer, you might ask about the question's relevancy.For
more examples of how to answer questions refer to the
reference books in Career and Employment Services, or
concentrate on a virtual interview in your area of expertise
with:
Monster Career Center or
The Virtual Interview.

Handling a Business Luncheon:

Knowing how to handle yourself at a business
luncheon is important to your professional
success. Dining etiquette could make the
difference in being accepted for a job. For
specifics on this refer to:
Dining Etiquette.

How to Negotiate Salary:

An employer may ask you what salary you desire.
Instead of answering with a figure try and clarify
what the responsibilities would be and how your
skills fit their needs. You might indicate a range
of two or three thousand dollars below and above
what you expect. This does not allow the interviewer
to set a "ceiling" figure too low. (To find the
salary range for a position of this type refer to
the "Michigan Occupational Information System"
(MOIS) in our office, in computer labs at LCC and in
the LCC library. The "Occupational Outlook Handbook"
will also be helpful, or other salary guides in
Center for Employment Services, and professional
trade journals in the library).

Never Leave an Interview "Empty Handed" - Ask
Questions!:

When you ask questions be sure there is a
purpose. You want to know as much as possible about
what is expected of you and what your role is in the
company's goals. Below is a list of possible
questions to ask:

Can you describe some projects you have in mind for
me?

What would be my duties?

What do you see as my greatest challenges?

How long have the other employees been working in
your department?

What is your vision for this department?

How much freedom will I have to set policy and decide
courses of action?